Almost 100,000 Bord Gais customers are on repayment plans after falling into arrears, figures have revealed.

The energy giant has installed more than 62,000 Pay As You Go meters which are free for those who are struggling to pay.

The details emerged as Bord Gais released its annual report for 2012, claiming it had performed strongly in a difficult market.

Chief financial officer Michael O’Sullivan said the number of customers in arrears has dropped from 9% to 7%.

He added the firm had invested to manage this number by installing the meters, although he admitted the situation remained challenging.

Bord Gais chair Rose Hynes said: “Ensuring we meet our obligations to our customers, in terms of the standard of customer service and by helping those customers who are in arrears, continues to be our main priority.

“In 2012, we helped nearly 120,000 customers to manage their bills.”

The report added the company’s total revenue grew by 1% to €1.6billion, while profit before income tax surged 29% to €121million.

Bord Gais also paid €23.8million in tax last year, bringing the total paid since its foundation in 1976 to €854million. In 2011 the firm paid €33.1million in tax.

And the firm announced it secured a €90million loan extension from the European Investment Bank.

The funding will be used to support wind farm construction in Ireland at Glantane, Co Cork, creating up to 80 jobs.

“The establishment of Irish Water has been a major focus of activity over the last year and we are about to commence an ambitious national meter rollout programme that will continue over a three-year period, creating over 2,000 jobs.”

Bord Gais cut off 7,500 customers last year – 4,680 people were left without gas and 2,860 without electricity.

Spokeswoman Christine Heffernan added: “Disconnections are an absolute last resort and can be avoided in all instances if the customer takes a Pay As You Go meter or repayment plan.”